Garment or ironing press



E. DAVIS GARMENT R IRONING4 PRESS Original Filed Jan. 4, 1929 2Sheets-Sheet l MM2/My A TTORNE Y.

March 31, 1936. E. DAVIS 2,035,794

GARMENT OR IRONNG PRESS Original Filed Jan. 4, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 I6/ 6 65 66 /zmg. 2

Patented Mar. 31, 1936 @ETD STATES PATENT GFFICE GARMENT OR IRONINGPRESS Application January 4, 1929, serial No. 330,388 Renewed November30, 1932 19 Claims.

This invention relates to pressing machines, and has for its object aparticularly simple and eflicient control mechanism by which the machinecan be preliminarily closed under a light pressure or no pressure, .andthereafter any degree of final pressure applied at the will of theoperator.

Another object is to provide a control mechanism which is operated onceto close the press l under light pressure and thereafter heavy Dressureis automatically applied to the press jaws.

The heavy pressuremay be graduated to apply any degree of iinal pressuredesired by the operator. The invention consists in the novel featuresand in the combinations and constructions hereinafter set forth andclaimed.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanyingdrawings in which like characters designate corresponding parts in allthe views.

Figure l is a side elevation of one form of pressing machine embodyingmy invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary, diagrammatic sectional view of the controlmechanism.

Figure 3 is a sectional View taken 0n line 3 3,

Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a detail view of a portion of the valve operating mechanism.

This invention is applicable to any machine having an opening andclosing movement, and it is here shown as applied to a conventional typeci garment and laundry pressing machine comprising cooperating pressingelements or jaws such as a head I movable toward and from a buck 2. Thebuck is mounted on a bracket or gooseneck 3, which in turn is mountedupon a bench or table i, supported by a suitable frame 5. The head I iscarried by a lever 6 pivoted between its ends at i, to a standard 8rising from the frame 5.

The actuating mechanism for the movable jaw or head may be of anysuitable form and construction, and that here shown comprises .a motormeans and motion transmitting means between the motor means and the headI.

The motor means here illustrated is fluid or pressure operated andcomprises a cylinder 9, and a piston i3 movable in the cylinder. Themotion transmitting means connecting the movable jaw I with the motormeans in addition to the lever i5 comprises an angle lever Il, pivotedat I2 at its angle to the base of the frame 5 and having a forwardlyextending arm to which the piston rod of the motor is pivoted at I4,andan upwardly extending arm I5 pivoted at I6 to a link The link I'.' ispivoted at I8 to the rear arm of the yoke lever 6. The link and the armI5 constitute a toggle. The piston I0 is single acting and the press isopened, when the pressure in the cylinder 9 is released, bycountersprings I9 and 26.

This invention relates to novel means for controlling the closing of thepress so that it can be preliminarily closed under little or no pressureand thereafter additional nal pressure to different degrees can beapplied at the will of the operator. In addition, the control means isde- 0 signed so that upon a single actuation thereof the press closesunder light pressure and subsequently heavy pressure is automaticallyapplied to the press jaws by the motor means.

The means for controlling the actuation of the 15 motor means, that is,in this embodiment of my invention, the iiow of motive iiuid to and fromthe cylinder 9 comprises two sets of control valves, one set having itscasing connected in a low pressure supply line of motive uid, .as com-20 pressed air, and the other set having its casing connected in ahigh'pressure supply line; and the two valve casings being connected inseries in the high pressure line.

A valve casing 2| is connected in the low pres- 25 sure line 22. 23 and24 are respectively the intake and exhaust valves in the casing 2|,these valves being connected by a stem 25 so that they act as a unit.These valves are arranged so that the intake valve 23 is normally closedand the 30 exhaust valve 24 normally open, and they are normally held insuch positions by a spring 25a which constitutes means tending to returnthem to their initial position. The air pressure also might be relied onto return the valves to their 35 initial positions. The valve casing 2|is connected by a pipe 26 to a coupling 21 communieating with a port 28in the upper end of the cylinder 9, this pipe 26 being a combined intakeand exhaust pipe. 40

A check valve 22a (Figure 3) is inserted in the 10W pressure line toprevent the high pressure fluid from owing back into the low pressuresupply line 22 as will appear more fully hereinafter. 45

A valve casing 29 is provided in the high pressure supply line 30, and3| and 32 designate intake and exhaust valves therein which areconnected by a stem 33, these valves being pressed by a spring 34 totheir initial or normal positions. 50 The valves in the casing 29 aresimilar in construction and operation to those in the casing 2|.

The control valves are operated by an operating member or manual commonto the valves in both the high pressure and the low pressure line. 55

The manual is here shown as a push button 35 which acts upon a lever 36,the lever acting upon a rock arm 31 mounted upon a rock shaft 38. Therock shaft 38 has rock arms 39 and 48 at its opposite ends which actrespectively on the stems 4I and 42 of the exhaust valves 24 and 32. Thelever 39 has two arms, and .one arm .43 coacts with the locking means tobe presently described. Returning spring 44 acts on lever 36 to returnit and the push button 35 to normal position when the push button isreleased.

Upon depression of the push button 35., the motion will be transmittedthrough lever 36, and rock shaft 38, to the rock arms 39 and 40 tovclose both exhaust valves 24 and 32 and open both intake valves 23 and3l so that the low pressure air is free to flow from the low pressureline `22, through the valve casing 2| and pipe 26 Yto the cylinder 9 andactuate the piston I0 therein, and air from the high pressure line isfree to ow through the valve casing 29. However, the flow of air fromthe high pressure line is delayed, as will be presently described, sothat initially air under low pressure only flows to the cylinder toactuate the piston and close the press. The two valve casings 2l and 29are connected in ser-ies in the high pressure line by a conduit 45having a delayed action valve easing 46 therein.

A delayed action valve 41 is pressed against its seat by a spring 48. Acertain amount of time is required for the fluid to build up suicientpressure in the casing 46 to; overcome the spring 48 and open the valve.This delayed action valve, therefore, momentarily retards the flow ofhigh pressure uid. Means are provided for locking the Valves in the lowpressure casing 2| in their operated position, but the valves in thehigh pressure casing 29 are free to return to their normal positionwhenever the push button 35 is released by virtue of the lost motionconnection between the lever 39 and rock shaft 38, shown in Figure 4 asa pin and slot, but which may be any other well known lost motionexpedient.

The locking means is here shown as controlled by the movement of thepiston and comprises a diaphragm chamber 49 having va diaphragm 58therein acting upon a sliding stern l, which presses against the lowerarm 43 of the lever 39 which lever acts on the stem 4| of the exhaustvalve 24. The pressure side of the diaphragm chamber 49 is connected b ya pipe 52 to a coupling 53 and pipe 54 which communicates with a casing55 on the side of the cylinder. The casing is connected with thecylinder through a port 56 opening into the cylinder 9. This port 56 islocated in position to be passed by the piston I0 about the time thatthe head l comes'down on the buck 2. After the piston does pass the port56, the pressure passes back from the 4cylinder 9 through the casing5,5, and pipes 54 and 52, to the diaphragm chamber 49 to actuate thediaphragm therein and lock the valves l23 and 24 in their Operated.position and .thus hold the press closed under either preliminarypressureor any degree of additional pressure.

By repeatedly depressing the button 35 after the valves 2.3 and 24 havebeen locked in ,operated position, additional pressure from the highpressure line 36 can be supplied to the cylinder 9, and if then the pushkbutton is released, the additional pressure will beheld in the cylindersince the exhaust valve 24 is locked closed and the check Valve 41prevents the air from exhausting around the exhaust valve 32. If thebutton 35 is held depressed, then the press automatically closes underheavy pressure merely upon actuating the control means once. It shouldbe noted that there is one set of manuals, represented by the buttons 35and 6|, which applies both initial light pressure and heavy pressure tothe motor means and the transfer from Vlow to high pressure is automaticor without the intervention of the operator or use of a high pressurecontrol manual. Obviously, the button 35 can be released at any time tohold the press closed at an intermediate heavy pressure less than thefull pressure available which is specically dependent upon the pressurein the high pressure feed line The press is opened by exhausting the airfrom the diaphragm chamber 49 and this is accomplished by opening anormally closed spring pressed exhaust valve 51 in a casing 58 which isconnected by a pipe 59 to the pressure side of the diaphragm chamber 49.The valve 51 is operated by a suitable manual or release lever 68grouped with the push button 35.

Obviously, after operation of the release lever 66 the valves 23 and 24will be free to return to their normal position thus opening the exhaustvalve 24 so that the air is free to exhaust from the cylinder 9 throughthe Vpipe 26, valve casing 2i, and out past the open exhaust valve 24.

Preferably, the machine is provided with a two hand control in orderthat both hands of the operator Vmust be employed when the machine isbeing closed. The two-hand control includes a second push button 6lwhich through leversv 62 and 63 acts on the stem 64 of a normally openexhaust valve 65 in a casing 66 which is connected by a pipe 6l to thecoupling 21. This exhaust valve is locked in its operated position by adiaphragm chamber 68 and a diaphragm 69 acting on a stem 18 which inturn acts upon the lever 63. The pressure side of the diaphragm chamber68 is connected by a pipe 68a to the coupling 53,

Obviously, if the push button 6| only is depressed, no air will pass tothe cylinder and nothing will happen. If the push button 35 only isdepressed, the air instead of passing from the pipe 26 and coupling 21into the cylinder 9 will exhaust from the coupling 21 through the pipe6l and around the exhaust valve 65. Hence both buttons must be depressedto close the press by power. As this second valve is controlled by thepush button 6l and is also locked in position at the same time as thevalves operated by the push button 35 are locked, additional and heavypressure can be applied by merely depressing the button 35. Also,obviously, the operation of the release lever 66 will also exhaust theair from the diaphragm chamber 68.

The machine is preferably provided also with operator-operated means asa pedal for preliminarily closing the press. The pedal is carried on atreadle lever 1I pivoted on the pivot l2 of the angle lever Il. Thistreadle is connected to the yoke lever 6 by any suitable treadle motiontransmitting mechanism. This mechanism comprises a link 12 connected at13 to the treadle lever 1I, and at 14 to one arm of an angle lever 15pivoted at its angle at 16 to the frame. A link 11, pivoted at 18 to theother arm of the angle lever 15, has a toothed rack 'i9 meshing with apinion 88 mounted on a rock shaft 6l which has a rock arm 82 thereon. Alink 83 connects the rock arm 82 and the rear arm of the yoke lever 6.

Obviously, upon depression of the treadle lever ll, the press will bepreliminarily closed. The link 72 is slidably connected Vto thetreadlelever 'il in order to permit movement of the link, relative tothe lever when the press goes under nal pressure. This movement isagainst the action of a spring 34.

The operator can preliminarily close the press by depressing the treadlelever and thereafter apply any degree of nal pressure by depressingbuttons 35 and 6I, or the operator may rst depress both push buttons 35and 6! to preliminarily close the press and thereafter apply any degreeof final pressure in graduated steps by merely operating the push button35, or thepress may be closed under maximum pressure by holding bothbuttons 35 and 6I depressed until the heavy pressure has beenautomatically applied to the pressrjaws.

I There is disclosed herein a garment or ironing press in which themotor means 9 provides a safety operating mechanism by operating with atwo step power movement in which the first step is under low power untilthe movable press jaw l has reached preliminary closed position andthereafter the second step under high power automatically comes intooperation to bring the movable jaw into heavy pressing contact with theother jaw or buck 2. This two step power movement of the motor means 9is controlled by the control means which includes means, such as thedelay valve means 46, which is automatically operable to control theactuation of the high power step of the motor means. The movable pressYjaw is in preliminary closed position or safety position when themovable jaw l is so close to the stationary jaw 2 that the operatorcannot insert his hand between the jaws, or when the jaws just begin tocontact, or when the jaws are in light contact with each other. Untilone of these safety positions is reached by the movable jaw l, theoperator cannot remove his hands from the two-hand control manuals.

The Vpress described above is new and novel irrespective of whether ornot a two-hand control means is used. The safety feature, however, isnot fully obtained unless a two-hand control is used, even though thelow power step has only sufficient power to squeeze a hand or objectbetween the jaws since one or both jaws of a garment or ironing pressare heated. An operator can receive a painful burn from the press jawseven though he cannot be crushed by the high power closing step of thepress. It is for this reason that a two-hand control means is used inconjunction with the automatic high power actuation of the motor meansin order to provide a press which is fully safe.

What I claim is:

l. In a machine having an opening and closing movement, actuatingmechanism therefor including a iiud operated motor, means forcontrolling the flow of motive fluid to and from the motor including alow pressure supply line and a high pressure supply line, a valve casingin each line, a controlling valve in each casing, manual means forinitially operating the valves to open them, the valves having means forreturning them to their initial position, means for locking the valve inthe casing in the low pressure line in its operated position, a conduitconnecting the casing in the high pressure line and the casing in thelow pressure line in series in the high pressure line, and a delayedaction valve in said conduit.

2. In a machine having an opening and closing movement an actuatingmechanism includ,- ing a cylinder and a piston movable in the cylinder,means for controlling the flow of motive huid to and from the cylinderincluding two valve casings connected respectively to low pressure andhigh'pressure supply conduits, a combin'ed intake and exhaust valve ineach casing normally arranged with the intake closed and the exhaustopen, means tending to return the valves to their initial positions,manual means for operating the valves in the casings to open the intakestherein and close the exhausts, a conduit connecting the valve casing inthe high pressure conduit to the valve casing in the low pressureconduit, and a delayed action valve in said conduit.

3. In a machine having an opening and closing movement, an actuatingmechanism including a cylinder and piston movable in the cylinder, meansfor controlling the flow of motive fluid to and from the cylinderincluding two valve casings connected respectively to low pressure andhigh lpressure supply lines, a combined intake and exhaust valve in eachcasing, normally arranged with th-e intake closed and the exhaust open,means tending to return the valves to their initial positions, manualmeans for operating the valves to open the intakes and close theexhausts,

a conduit connecting in series the valve casing' ow of motive uid to andfrom the motor including a low pressure line and a high pressure line, avalve casing in each line, a controlling valve in each casing, manualmeans for initially operating the valves to open them, the valves havingmeans for returning them to their initial position, means for lockingthe valve in the casing in the low pressure line in its operatedposition, a conduit connecting the casing in the high pressure line andthe casing in the low pressure line in series in the high pressure line,and a delayed action valve in said conduit, the manual means beingcommon to the -valves in both casings.

5. In a pressing machine in combination cooperating pressing elementswhich open and close on the work, mechanism for opening and closing thepress including a uid operated motor, two valves for controlling theoperation of the motor, one valve having its casing connected in a lowpressure supply line and the other in a high pressure supply line,manual means for operating the valves, the valves having means forreturning them to their initial position, means automatically controlledby the closing ci the press for locking the valve in the low pressuresupply line in its operated position, a conduit connecting the valvecasings in series in the high pressure line, a delayed action valve insaid conduit, and release means operable at will to unlock the lockingmeans.

6. In a garment or laundry pressing machine in combination cooperativepressing elements which open and close on the work; actuatingV mechanismfor opening and closing the press including motor means; means tocontrol the flow of Working fluid to the motor means to operate thepress into a preliminary ,closed position; means to control the flow ofworking `huid to the motor means to apply heavy pressure to the-pressing elements; a common operator-operated member for operating bothcontrol means simultaneously; and a delayed action mechanism fordelaying the effect of the operation of the heavy pressure supplycontrol means.

7. In a garment or laundry pressing machine in combination cooperativepressing elements which open and close on the work; actuating mechanismfor opening and closing the press including a iiuid operated motor;means -to control the how of working uid to the motor including a lowpressure working uid supply line, and a high pressure working fluidsupply line, and means in each supply line for controlling the iiow ofworlnng uid therethrough; operatoroperated means for operating thecontrol means; and means to delay the iiow of working fluid from thehigh pressure Working fluid supply line after operation of the highpressure `control means.

S. In a garment or laundry pressing machine in combination cooperativepressing elements which o-pen and close on the work; actuating mechanismfor opening and closing the press including a fluid operated motor;means to control the flow of Working fluid to the motor including a lowpressure working fluid supply line, and a high pressure working uidsupply line, and a control valve in each supply line; operatoroperatedmeans for operating the control valves; and a delayed action valve inseries with the high pressure control valve for delaying the supply ofhigh pressure working fluid to the motor.

9. In a garment or laundry pressing machine in combination cooperativepressing elements which open and close on the work; .operating mechanismfor opening and closing the press including fluid operated motor means;a low pressure working fluid supply line; a high pressure working iiuidsupply line; means including a common operator-operated member forcontrolling the flow of working fluid from both of said supply lines tothe motor means; and means to prevent the flow of high pressure workingfluid to the motor means until after vthe low pressure working fluid hasbeen supplied to the motor means.

lo. In a garment or laundry pressing machine in combination cooperativepressing elements which open and close on the work; operating mechanismfor opening and closing the press including fluid operated motor means;a leW pressure working iiuid supply line; a high pressure working fluidsupply line; a valve in the low pressure supply line; a valve in thehigh pressure supply line; operator-operated means comated heavypressure to the pressing elements.

l2. In a garment or laundry pressing machine in combination cooperativepressing elements which Vopen and close on the work; operating mechanismfor opening and closing the press including a fluid Operated motormeans; valve means to control the flow of Working fluid to the motormeans to close the press to preliminary closed position; meanscontrolled by the operating mechanism for automatically locking thePlleSSiIlg machine in preliminary closed position; other valve means forsupplying working fluid to the motor means to apply graduated heavypressure to the pressing elements.

13. AIn a garment or laundry pressing machine in combination,cooperative pressing elements which .open and close on the work;operating mechanism Yfor opening and closing the press including a fluidOperated motor means; valve means to .Control the flow of working fluidto the motor means toclose the press to preliminary closed position;means controlled by the operating mechanism for automatically lockingthe pressing machine in preliminary closed positien; other valve Imeansfor supplying working fluid to the motor means to apply graduated heavypressure to the pressing elements; and an operator-operated controlmember common to both of said valve means.

ifi. A garment or ironing press comprising cooperating press jaws whichopen and close on the work, actuating mechanism to operate the pressincluding a uid motor to close the press under light pressure andsubsequently to apply heavy pressure to the press jaws, a source of lowpressure air and a source of high pressure a valve means connecting themotor with the source of high pressure air, a valve means connecting themotor with the source of low pressure air, operator actuated meansoperating both valve means at the same time, means delaying ,the ow ofhigh pressure air to the motor, and check valve means preventing theescape of high pressure air through the source of low pressure air.

15. A garment or ironing press comprising cooperating jaws Which openand close on the work, actuating mechanism to operate the pressincluding a fluid motor to close the press under light pressure andsubsequently to apply heavy pressure to the press jaws, a source of lowpressure air and a source of high pressure air, a valve means connectingthe motor with the source of high pressure air, a valve means connectingthe motor with the source of low pressure air, manual means operatingboth valve means at the same time, means holding the low pressure airvalve means in operated position upon a predetermined movement of thepress, means delaying the flow of high pressure air to the motor means,and check valve means preventing the escape of high pressure air throughthe source of low pressure air.

15. A garment or ironing press comprising cooperating press jaws whichopen and close on the work, actuating mechanism to operate the pressincluding a fluid motor to close the press under light pressure andsubsequently to apply heavy pressure to the press jaws, a source of Vlowpressure air and a source of high pressure air, control valve meansconnected with the motor and operable once to applylow pressure airthereto so that the motor closes with a two step operation first intopreliminary closed position under light pressure, said control Valvemeans including Valve means automatically operable when the press is inpreliminary closed position to Y apply air under high pressure to themotor to close the press under heavy pressure, and check valve meanspreventing the escape of high pressure air through the source of lowpressure air.

17. A garment or ironing press comprising cooperating press jaws Whichopen and close on the Work, actuating mechanism to operate the pressincluding a fluid motor to close the press under light pressure andsubsequently to apply heavy pressure to the press jaws, a first valvemeans connected with the motor means and adapted to be connected with asource of low pressure air, a second valve means connected with themotor means and adapted to be connected With a source of high pressureair, said second valve means including means automatically operable whenthe press is in preliminary closed position to permit the flow of highpressure air to the motor, operato-r actuated means operating the rstand the second valve means at the same time, and check valve meanspreventing the escape of high pressure air through the source of 10Wpressure alr.

18. A garment or laundry pressing machine including, in combination,cooperating pressing elements, one of Which is movable toward and fromthe other; means for actuating the movable element including a fluidoperated motor having a movable member, and operating connectionsbetween the movable member and the movable pressing element; conduitsfor the Working uid, operator-o-perated valve means for controlling theflow of low pressure motive fluid to the motor to apply light pressure,additional operator-operated valve means for controlling the ovv of highpressure motive fluid to the motor to apply heavy pressure; and conduitconnections including delayed action valve means by which the ow ofmotive fluid to effect heavy pressure is ineffective until the press hasbeen closed under light pressure.

19. In a garment or laundry pressing machine comprising, in combination,cooperative pressing elements one of which is movable with respect tothe other to open and close the press; operai;- ing mechanism for themovable pressing element including a fluid operated motor means; a rstconduit for supplying Working fluid to the motor means to close thepress into preliminary closed position, operator-operated Valve meansfor controlling the flow of Working fluid through said first conduit, asecond conduit for supplying Working fluid to the motor means to applyheavy pressure to the pressing elements including delayed action valvemeans having a check valve in the second conduit to prevent the flow ofWorking fluid from the motor through said second conduit,operator-operated valve means operable repeatedly to supply incrementsof Working fluid to the motor through the second conduit to applygraduated heavy pressure to the pressing elements.

ERNEST DAVIS.

